STORY OF FINAL FANTASY VIII
Final Fantasy VIII, like FF VII, takes place sometime in the distant future. The main character, Squall Leonhart, belongs to a special organization known as the Garden. The Garden is a special school for future soldiers. Each individual country is said to have its own training facility. In the case of Balamb Garden, anyone age 6 to 19 can attend the Garden. Those who succeed on the final exam become members of the Garden special force, SeeD. Those who fail are kicked out of Garden, and those who pass learn the powers of magic. Squall's goal is to become a member of SeeD, and it is also thought that Seifer became Squall's rival after being rejected from SeeD.